Commentary - this time written by me!
:-)

As a concerned citizen, lifelong environmentalist and peace activist I often wonder about the best use of my very limited “spare time.” (Do we really have much of any time when we’re not working hard to make ends meet, or recovering from exhaustion?)

My gut feeling is that there is a lot of media-fed “blame the victim” hype going on that prevents us from being really mad at the system. This, of course, benefits the stability of the system to keep it the way it is: daily rape of the planet for the profit of the rich and powerful. In this mental environment it’s just too easy to shy away from ardent, rabble-rousing dissent until we have achieved some imaginary level of eco-perfection. How many times have you wondered, even for a moment, ‘who am I to complain to (fill in the blank), when I have so much to improve in my own life?’ After all, didn’t Gandhi say that change begins with you yourself? Nothing wrong with a little humility, is there? Yet, I know it would take so much money and effort to get that solar water heater installed on my roof, or to install a rain capture system around my yard. In short, shouldn’t we simplify our lives to a level resembling the hobbits in Lord of the Rings? The psychic dilemma most of us face is this: we have worked to raise our awareness, thus our conscience is more acute. So when we think about the disconnect between what changes we need to make and where we personally are it can have the effect of making us somewhat paralyzed.

How much time and effort would it take to study all the issues we care about…to FULLY understand the subtle intricacies of both sides BEFORE we come to a reasoned conclusion sanctioned by all who we know and trust? Just thinking about it wears me out!

The powers that be (I refer to them as “elites”) know these internal dilemmas full well and have arranged to exploit our doubt and guilt through the mainstream media.

Don’t get me wrong, I would not suggest that people STOP pursuing ways to lessen their ecological or carbon dioxide “footprint” on the planet! I suggest, rather, that we find a measure of self-acceptance, a balance if you will, between reducing our own contribution to the environmental problems of our planet and our unique ability to affect changes in public policy. Each person knows where that balance is for themselves. We all have to struggle with our own calculus of what we have time for and what we feel comfortable doing. Some of us will be more comfortable keeping to ourselves (family and friends) to improve our impact on Gaia. Some of us will do nothing but organize for positive change in the world. And some will courageously endeavor to do a little of both.

Personally, I spend a good deal of my spare time and money on lobbying government to do the right thing and precious little on lessening my ecological footprint. In my own calculus, I have decided that an hour calling, writing letters or speaking with friends about an issue is worth ten hours working to put a solar panel on my roof (someday, maybe!). Why? I’ll give you an example: if and when we citizens can push public policy in Washington to change the fuel economy standards for the WHOLE nation, that would trump anything I could do as an individual to lessen my personal eco-footprint. Do I question this calculus every day? Yes. Well, almost every day.

On the plus side for lobbying: our state, county and city government is surprisingly accessible for the average citizen. Assuming you can take a day off during the next legislative session, you can drive up to Salem to visit your representatives (BTW, both houses are now controlled by Democrats). I encourage every citizen to experience this! Just call ahead and set up an appointment to visit your state Senator or Representative and tell him/her of your concerns. If not, take few minutes to call them!

Bottom line: the multiple crises we face demand nothing less than an organized, global shakeup of the way civilization operates. Some might call it a revolution, some might call it a re-alignment of values and attitudes. Wherever you stand, however you put it, it is clear to me that we have a choice between a completely chaotic, “market-driven” descent into hell, or a cooperative, democratic venture into a new era of decentralized economic self-reliance and ecological sustainability. I suggest we commence with the agitating and ruckus-making or we may soon run out of time and lose the ability to choose.